Tag: DITE&C Goa

TechPulse

Goa Building Strong Startup Ecosystem with Capital, Mentorship and Market Access: Minister Rohan Khaunte

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji, February 12, 2026:
The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, through the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC), officially launched the Goa Startup Accelerator (GSA) Programme on Wednesday. The initiative aims to provide structured mentorship, market access, investment opportunities and growth support to startups across the state.


The launch event, held at Novotel, Panaji, brought together startups, ecosystem enablers, industry leaders and government officials.

The event was attended by Rohan Khaunte, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Tourism and Printing & Stationery; Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director, DITE&C; Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, DITE&C; and D.S. Prashant, CEO, Startup & IT Promotion Cell.

Addressing the gathering, Minister Rohan Khaunte said Goa is steadily emerging as a strong startup destination.

“Today, Goa is not just known for its quality of life, but for its forward-looking policies and a growing startup ecosystem of 734 DPIIT-registered startups, nearly half of which are women-led. Through the Goa Startup Policy 2025 and its 12 comprehensive schemes, along with initiatives like the Goa Accelerator Program and the Goa Open Innovation Challenge, we are creating an environment where startups have access to capital, mentorship, skills, infrastructure and real market opportunities. The Government is committed to providing every possible resource and support,” he said.

The Goa Startup Accelerator Programme is a structured five-month initiative running from February to June 2026. It will culminate in a Demo Day where participating startups will showcase their progress and innovations.

The event began with an orientation session for startups registered under the programme. Participants were briefed on the structure and roadmap of the accelerator. Startups also pitched their ideas to experts and interacted with mentors and fellow entrepreneurs.

Winners of the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 were felicitated during the event. In the startup category, SOLO Network, Cidroy Technologies LLP and So-AIR were honoured. In the student category, Suraj Vishwakarma and team from Padre Conceição College of Engineering, Verna, and Dattaprasad Narendra Prabhu and team from Don Bosco College of Engineering, Fatorda, were recognised. The Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025 Report was also released by the Minister.

Winners of the MedTech Hackathon, organised by the National Association of Palliative Care for AYUSH & Integrative Medicine (NAPCAIM) in collaboration with DITE&C, were also awarded. The winning teams included Team Biomade, Team My Pallo Friend and Team Kindred Tech.

The programme additionally recognised several government and ecosystem enablers for their contribution to Goa’s growing innovation landscape.

Through forward-looking policies, targeted schemes and collaborative platforms, DITE&C continues to strengthen Goa’s innovation-driven economy and support startups at every stage of growth.

TechPulse

DITE&C Sensitizes Officials on Cyber Hygiene and Responsible AI Use on Safer Internet Day

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

Altinho, February 10, 2026: Marking Safer Internet Day, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) organised an awareness session at the IT Hub, Altinho, Panaji, to sensitise government officials about growing cyber threats, online vulnerabilities, and safe digital practices.


The session was held under the theme “Smart Tech, Safe Choices – Exploring the Safe and Responsible Use of AI” and aimed to promote cyber hygiene and responsible engagement with emerging technologies.

Addressing the gathering, Sanjeev Ahuja, IAS, Secretary of IT, emphasised that internet safety is a shared responsibility. He noted that awareness initiatives are essential to empower government officials, citizens, and youth to recognise digital risks and contribute to building a secure online ecosystem.

Kabir Shirgaonkar, Director of DITE&C, highlighted the importance of responsible online behaviour in an era of increasing screen time and rapid AI adoption. He stated that as Goa progresses towards digital empowerment, ensuring protection against cyber threats and consistently practising safe online habits remains crucial.

Dr. Milind Sakhardande, Joint Director, DITE&C, welcomed the participants and encouraged them to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen digital security in their respective roles.

The session was conducted by Sharda Katare, Head of the State e-Governance Mission Team (SeMT), Goa, as part of the nationwide Safer Internet Day campaign led by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). The workshop featured video-based learning modules, discussions on key cyber threats, mitigation strategies, and responsible AI usage. Participants also shared personal experiences related to online fraud, making the session interactive and practical.

Fiona D’costa, Assistant Director, DITE&C, proposed the vote of thanks.

Through such initiatives, DITE&C reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Goa’s digital ecosystem by promoting safe internet practices and responsible AI adoption among officials and citizens alike.

TechPulse

DITE&C Announces Statewide AI Hackathon to Strengthen Public Service Delivery

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes ||Team Allycaral 

The Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C) has announced the launch of a statewide AI Hackathon as part of the Goa AI Mission 2027, marking a significant step towards integrating Artificial Intelligence into governance and public service delivery across the state.


The AI Hackathon aims to encourage the adoption of ethical and responsible Artificial Intelligence solutions to address real-world governance challenges. The initiative focuses on improving efficiency, transparency and citizen-centric service delivery by leveraging emerging technologies within government systems.

Under the programme, government departments, corporations, autonomous bodies and local authorities have been invited to submit problem statements based on their day-to-day operational challenges. These problem statements will identify areas where AI-based interventions can support automated verification processes, early identification of missing or incorrect information, and timely delivery of benefits to eligible citizens.

Following a detailed scrutiny and evaluation of the submitted problem statements, DITE&C will facilitate the development of AI-powered solutions tailored to the specific needs of departments. Selected solutions will be designed to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen service delivery mechanisms.

The Goa AI Hackathon builds on the success of the Goa Open Innovation Challenge 2025, which invited startups and student innovators to address high-impact governance challenges. The initiative received strong participation from across the country, reflecting growing interest in technology-driven public sector innovation.

Through initiatives such as the AI Hackathon, DITE&C continues to advance the vision of a digitally empowered Goa by fostering innovation, encouraging collaboration and integrating emerging technologies to improve public service delivery and governance outcomes.

TechPulse

DITE&C Signs MoU with Starlink to Boost Digital Connectivity, Disaster Resilience and Smart Governance in Goa

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panaji, 21 January 2026: In a major move to strengthen digital infrastructure and connectivity across Goa, the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited to explore advanced satellite-based connectivity solutions across the state.


The partnership aims to support digital inclusion, enhance public infrastructure, improve coastal safety and strengthen emergency response capabilities, particularly in areas with limited or no access to terrestrial internet networks.

The MoU was signed in the presence of Chief Minister of Goa Dr Pramod Sawant, Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications Rohan Khaunte, Chief Secretary Dr V. Candavelou, IAS, Director of DITE&C Kabir Shirgaonkar, OSD to the Minister Neville Noronha, senior state government officials, and Prabhakar Jayakumar, Head of Starlink India, representing Starlink Satellite Communications Private Limited.

Speaking on the occasion, “The Government of Goa is committed to harnessing technology to drive digital transformation and improve the lives of our citizens. This partnership with Starlink is a significant step towards achieving our vision of a digitally empowered Goa,” said Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant.

Highlighting the impact of the collaboration, “This partnership with Starlink will transform Goa’s governance landscape by leveraging modern technology to drive efficiency and responsiveness. By bridging the digital divide and enhancing public services, we will make Goa an even more attractive hub for investment, tourism and talent, while ensuring that citizens reap the benefits of digital progress,” said IT Minister Rohan Khaunte.

Under the MoU, DITE&C and Starlink will explore opportunities in digital connectivity, disaster resilience and smart governance across Goa, including pilot initiatives to provide satellite broadband connectivity to government schools, healthcare facilities and disaster management centres located in regions with limited terrestrial network coverage.

The collaboration will also focus on enhancing emergency preparedness, building institutional capacity through training programmes, exploring affordable tariff structures for socially beneficial use cases, and supporting smart governance, tourism and coastal development by enabling reliable connectivity for public infrastructure and services.

This partnership reinforces the Government of Goa’s commitment to digital transformation, innovation, economic development and citizen welfare, while laying the foundation for a resilient and future-ready digital ecosystem across the state.

TechPulse

Goa to Host Startup Handholding Programme to Mark National Startup Day 2026

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Written by Intern Rency Gomes || Team Allycaral 

Panjim; January 2026: To celebrate National Startup Day 2026, the Startup & IT Promotion Cell (SITPC) under the Department of Information Technology, Electronics & Communications (DITE&C), Government of Goa, will organise a Startup Handholding Support Programme on January 19, 2026, at the Goa Marriott Resort, Miramar, aimed at strengthening the state’s growing startup ecosystem.


The programme will provide structured, end-to-end guidance to startups on understanding and availing benefits under various Government of India and Government of Goa schemes. Through panel discussions, scheme presentations and an interactive workshop, founders will gain practical insights into compliance requirements, funding readiness and best practices to scale their ventures.
DS Prashant, Chief Executive Officer of SITPC, said the initiative will create a strong engagement platform for startups, incubators, industry associations and ecosystem enablers. He noted that registered startups will receive step-by-step guidance, enhanced awareness of schemes and follow-up assistance to help them successfully access government incentives and support mechanisms.
Along with capacity-building sessions, the event will also felicitate successful startups and recognise key contributors to the Goa startup ecosystem, reinforcing the government’s commitment to fostering innovation, entrepreneurship and a future-ready, inclusive startup environment in the state.